US Adds 130,000 Jobs in January, Unemployment Falls to 4.3%

The United States added 130,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in January 2026, surpassing economists' expectations and providing an early sign of resilience in the labor market after a sluggish previous year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the report on February 11, 2026, following a delay caused by a partial federal government shutdown. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent in December, reflecting a modest improvement in hiring amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

The January figure marked a notable uptick from December's revised total of 48,000 jobs, which had been adjusted downward along with November's estimate by a combined 17,000 positions. Economists had projected gains ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 jobs, making the actual increase a welcome surprise. Private-sector hiring drove much of the growth, reaching 172,000 positions, while the report highlighted gains concentrated in specific industries. Health care led with 82,000 new jobs, including 50,000 in ambulatory services, exceeding the sector's recent monthly average. Social assistance added 42,000 roles, primarily in family services, and construction contributed 33,000. Offsetting these...